An A-Ranked Adventurer's Chapter 58

They Are Both Spoiled

Our house became quiet as soon as Toack and Aisha left.

Currently in the living room, there were only sounds of Flora doing the dishes coming from the kitchen.

「It sure has gotten quiet after those two left」

「Yeah」

When I spoke out to Flora in a quiet voice while I was wiping the table with a cloth, she replied to me with a smile, seemingly thinking of the same thing in her mind.

When those two are together they really liven things up.

I unintentionally smiled when I thought back on the conversation they had earlier.

「They really get along well, don’t you think? I wonder if they’ll get together」

「I asked Toack that too, but he just found it ridiculous like there’s no way that’s going to happen」

“There’s no way” were actually his exact words. 

「Does Aisha have anyone she likes?」

「No, I don’t think so. She’s not seeing anyone and there are no other men that she’s close with」

I’ve lived in this village for a few months and I haven’t heard any gossip about Aisha yet. However, I only hear things when I slack off at work like a naughty village child.

If I had to name a guy that Aisha’s close with, it would be Toack, yeah.

It looks like they aren’t like that with each other, but as to whether or not that’s true, I have some doubts about it.

「How about Toack-san?」

Flora asked, perhaps curious about the relations.h.i.+p between Aisha and the guy she gets along best with.

「He’s about the same as Aisha. He’s not seeing anyone and there’s no one he’s interested in」

「…I see」

「Ah, but he’s always working for the women in the village– he’s very reliable and popular」

「Toack-san is a very kind and helpful person after all」

With his poker face, he can be easily misunderstood as a cold person, but he’s actually very kind.

Maybe it’s because Flora is an introverted person as well that she was reserved with Toack at first. But over time, she started to warm up to him. I’m glad that she understands what our friend is really like. 

With that thought in mind, I went towards the kitchen to wash the cloth that I cleaned the table with.

「Can I wash this next to you?」

「Sure, go ahead」

Flora gave me a little s.p.a.ce with a bright smile.

It was just a casual exchange, but it felt so nice.

She was already done was.h.i.+ng the dishes, huh? She’s now carefully drying the plates with a cloth.

She was looking very cheerful from the side as she did that while humming a tune.

I started to rinse my cloth as I listened to her humming.

Questions like “What song is that?” or comments like “Aren’t you cheerful?” almost came out of my mouth, but since I wouldn’t be able to hear her humming anymore if said those things, I just remained silent.    

When I started to dry the cloth after I got done was.h.i.+ng it, Flora was putting the dried dishes onto the shelf. She suddenly stopped humming and asked me,

「Oh yeah, Aldo-san」

「What is it?」

I looked at her while feeling disappointed that her soothing humming came to an end. 

Then, she replied as she fidgeted in an uneasy manner,

「…Umm, can I know what Aisha told you when she left? Umm, you both looked very serious, so it got me wondering. It’s fine if you don’t want to though!」

Even though she’s not really pus.h.i.+ng me, she looked very worried.

If I say no to that, she will probably get depressed like an abandoned puppy. 

What Aisha and I talked about might be an embarra.s.sing topic not just for me, but for Aisha as well. However, it wasn’t anything disgraceful that I need to hide.

Aisha was simply caring for her childhood friend, and I was just showing her my resolve.

However, for Aisha to choose to whisper that in my ear when she normally just says things without a care, I think she was a little too embarra.s.sed to show Flora how much she cares about her after all. And I also kind of want to see Flora try to tease Aisha a little about it.   

 「…She told me to be good to you. She said she won’t forgive me if I make you cry」

「…So Aisha said that…」

Flora was surprised from what I said, then she put her hand on her chest and her expression softened up as if she was touched by it.

Her white cheeks turned a bit red, as she looked a little embarra.s.sed.  

「And how did you answer her?」

Flora asked me with an innocent smile as she looked up at me adorably.

She looked like she already knew the answer to that question, but she couldn’t help wanting to hear it from my mouth.

「Of course, I told her “I know”」

「Ehehe, I knew you’d say that. But it makes me happy still hearing you say it」

Although it was a simple, straightforward answer, Flora couldn’t stop smiling like a blooming flower. 

It’s a look of happiness that she couldn’t control.

I’ll get to see the happiest smile of the person I love if I put my thoughts into words. When I thought of it like that, I was able to give a straightforward answer with my honest feelings regardless of it being somewhat embarra.s.sing.

「What about you? What were you two talking about in the end?」

Maybe Aisha told her something as important as the thing she told me. I became a little curious thinking of that possibility.

When I asked her with no reserve, Flora went “…Ummmm….”, seemingly unsure of what to do. Then she looked like she made up her mind on something and came close to me.

「Eeiii!」

With an adorable sound, Flora surprised me with a hug.

Her soft arms were wrapped around my back, while her soft body was pressing tight up against my body. 

Her face was comfortably leaning on my chest. I could smell a sweet floral scent coming from her body.

As to why she suddenly hugged me, I couldn’t figure it out.

「…Um, what’s this about?」

「P-please, hug me tight」 

Flora replied from my chest when I asked in confusion, so I hugged her delicate body tightly in response. 

Then, a “Nn” sound leaked out of her mouth as if she was satisfied with my reaction.

I’m not sure what’s going on but I don’t dislike hugging her at all. If anything, it’s a good thing, so I continued to cuddle with her as we felt each other’s warmth.

While I’m immersed in the joy of feeling her body, she said a few words in a quiet voice. 

「…More, tighter」

「Huh?」

「More, pamper me more」

Flora said as she looked up at me from inside my arms.

She looked extremely shy, triggering my protective instincts.

「I’d be glad to」

If I think about it, Flora doesn’t ask me for much. Not any favors, hugs, or to hold hands.

Of course, the lady-like side of hers is attractive, but since we’re going to be a married couple, I want her to rely on me who is going to be her husband. I want us to be lovey-dovey. 

Rely on me when work gets tough, take turns with me if you want to take a break.

I also want her to cuddle with me, to hold hands with me. I want to ask her to do things for me too.

I want to hear more of her wishes, and I want more of her love.

「Can you spoil me more from today on, Aldo-san?」

「Of course」

「Even though I might be selfish and annoying?」

「Not a problem」

I replied with a bitter smile to her question of confirmation.

Of course, I don’t think she will go overboard with super selfish requests to pamper her.

「I…I’m quite spoiled, you know?」

「I know, so am I」

「Oh, that’s right」

Flora and I both giggled.

「Is there something you like to do, or want to do?」

「Please gently stroke my head」

When I stroked her head according to her request, she closed her eyes with a smile.

It feels good to stroke her silky hair as well.

As I thought, she really likes getting her head stroked.

「And for tomorrow, do you want to go to the field of flowers together? I want to have a picnic under the tree as we look at the flowers」 

Having lunch with Flora while watching the field of summer flowers, huh? That sounds really nice.

Even if she didn’t suggest that, I would have asked her to do that sometime. 

「Sounds good. Then, should we start making preparations for it?」

「No, a bit more…like this」

For the next little while, Flora and I continued to cuddle with each other.